University of Nicosia: The University hosts a Meeting of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA

Rector Pouyioutas: We are leading the design of a digital and innovative European University with campuses across nine European countries

The NEOLAiA European University Alliance consortium meeting took place from the 7th to the 9th of May 2023 at the premises of the University of Nicosia.

NEOLAIA is a consortium of nine (9) European Universities, including the University of Nicosia, which aims to tackle global challenges and empower regionally rooted European talents (https://neolaiacampus.eu/).

While the application submitted to the European Commission in January 2023 for a grant under the European University Alliances funding scheme awaits approval, the participating institutions have convened for a proactive meeting to explore the benefits and goals they can achieve in the interim.

The University of Nicosia leads the “Digital Transformation” work package, as well as co-lead the “Adopting and Sustaining Open Science” work package, taking on a vital role in materializing the Alliance’s vision. The “Digital Transformation” work package is heavily focused on the Metaverse and one of its aims is to support all universities/members of the Alliance to embrace digital transformation in education.

The meeting was attended by more than 20 participants from members of the Alliance: University of Jaén, Spain, University of Tours, France, University of Bielefeld, Germany, Örebro University, Sweden, University of Salerno (online participation), Italy, the Šiauliai State University of Applied Sciences (online participation), Lithuania, Stefan Cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania, and University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

During the meeting, a special event was held to commemorate the spirit of European collaboration, attended by the ambassadors of Spain, Sweden and Romania. The ambassadors expressed their support to the partner Universities and NEOLAiA Alliance and emphasized the potential for this partnership to strengthen the bonds between their countries. The event served as a reminder of the shared values and aspirations that drive the Alliance, reinforcing the participating institutions’ commitment to fostering a thriving, interconnected European academic community. Social events were also held, contributing to strengthening relationships among the partners.

The Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas stated: “We are proud to have hosted this meeting of the NEOLAiA Alliance at the University of Nicosia. Our University, as a leading academic institution in the field of emerging technologies, is leading the design of a digital and innovative European University with campuses across nine European countries, including Cyprus, continuing to successfully promote our country as an international centre for quality Higher Education”.

Source: University of Nicosia I News (https://bit.ly/3IfVYiX)